With the trend continuing of real estate investors buying out condominium buildings and “de-converting” them into apartment buildings, legislative efforts have been made to protect the rights of condominium unit owners.

The Illinois legislature recently amended the Illinois Condominium Property Act with several changes designed to protect unit owners. Some of these changes are quite significant and will go into effect beginning on January 1, 2018.

On February 3, 2016, the First District Appellate Court of Illinois issued an opinion in Stobe v. 842-848 West Bradley Place Condominium Association, a case involving a challenge to a condominium board rule imposing a 30% cap on leasing in the building. This opinion is of particular significance, as it is the first time in more than 20 years that the Illinois Appellate Court has spoken on this important topic of restrictions of leasing in condominiums.

The big topic amongst residential real estate professionals these days is of course the impact the new CFPB regulations will have on the industry when they are finally implemented on October 3, 2015. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) was created by the Dodd-Frank Act passed by Congress as a response to the 2008 financial crisis. The goal of the regulations is a noble one- to give consumers as much information as possible in an understandable format before making a financial...

A recent Illinois First District Appellate case may end the common practice of foreclosing banks not paying condominium assessments until re-sale of foreclosed property by giving a large incentive to pay assessments as quick as possible following the judicial sale.

While individuals can represent themselves pro se, pursuant to English common law as far back as the 1600s, business entities must be represented by an attorney in court. However, as many property owners know, this rule has never really been enforced by the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings.

A recent Illinois appellate court decision has actually ruled that a landlord’s 5 day notice is defective if the deadline in the notice (the 5th day) falls on a Sunday. As most landlords are aware, it must serve its non-paying tenant with a written notice before it can file an eviction lawsuit. In the residential context, and unless the lease provides for a longer time period, the notice for the non-payment of rent is 5 days, and the notice for some other default under the lease is 10 days.

Chicago condominium association boards should be aware of two recent amendments passed by city council. A request for books and records by a unit owner of a Chicago condominium used to be a trap for an association board. The Illinois Condominium Property Act gives an association board up to 30 days to respond. The Chicago Condominium Ordinance, however, gave the Association Board only 10 days to respond.